Beginning at 5 PM and lasting until 6:30 I will be in the SF tasting bar to sample ALL of the best wine-based spirits in stock. Veteran SF bartender Todd Smith will also be on hand to help describe how to mix these enticing elixers. For a mere $5 you get to taste these outstanding products:

Cocchi Aperitivo Americano $18.99 - This is a low alcohol, wine-based aperitif that does what so few purported aperitif's seem to do: it enlivens your palate and your appetite. What a concept! This is the original Americano, produced without a break in the Piedmontese town of Asti since 1891 and made according to an entirely natural recipe, which includes white wine aromatized with many herbs and spices, and no artificial coloring, flavoring or additive of any kind. It is produced in limited quantities and matured for a year before being put on sale. Serve chilled in a tumbler or in an appropriate glass with a twist of orange peel and if desired, ice cubes. A splash or soda is indispensable to make the full aroma and perfume come out at their best.

Cocchi Barolo Chinato $46.99 - Pronounced key-knot-o. To begin with, this specialized wine product will not appeal to every wine drinker out there. But for those of us with mature palates, and those who appreciate the natural flavoring agent that gives tonic water its distinctive bite (quinine), a glass of Cocchi's Barolo chinato is not a vinous experience you're likely to soon forget! In addition to quinine bark, rhubarb, gentian and a final addition of somewhat secreted spices, including cardamom seed, are added to this pleasantly bitter tipple, which ranks up there with Fernet Branca as the world's best digestivo. Expensive due to the high-quality Barolo wine used to make it!

Cocchi Vermouth di Torino $19.99 - the newest sweet vermouth on the scene, brimming with character and cola flavors!

Carpano Antica Sweet Vermouth $25.99 - From the Italian producer of Punt e Mes, a sweet vermouth, comes the Carpano Antica, a special, high-end, red vermouth. Smoother and not nearly as sweet as the Punt e Mes, the Carpano Antica can be served as an aperitivo, a digestivo or as a component of your favorite cocktail such as a Manhattan or Negroni.

Cardamaro Amaro $18.99 - This secret family recipe was developed over the last century by the Bosca Family. Using Cardoon, Blessed Thistle, and several other botanicals, the Cardamaro is one of the most unique and interesting amaro currently available. An absolutely fantastic price for a high quality, delicious amaro and a fantastic gateway into this world of Italian bitters.

Reader Comments (3)

Enjoyed the tasting David - it was my first foray into Vermouth and Amaro. Couldn't think of a better and more affordable way to start. Ended up walking out with a bottle of the Cardamaro. Although I am mainly a whisky person I like the thought of mixing in a different spirit into the tasting rotation once in awhile.